Tell Us About Yourself

Poison: Leffe Blonde - Known as a medicinal drink for Belgian cyclists

Favourite Possession other than your bike: It has to be my collection of medals, trophies and accolades from another sport before cycling.

Top Tip: Set a goal, stick to that goal and achieve it. Enjoy the achievement. Repeat

Tell us a joke: everyone loves a joke no matter how good or bad it is

Cant do without: Cracked Black Pepper

Tell us a joke…

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine, they laid down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replied, "I see millions and millions of stars." "What does that tell you?" Watson pondered for a minute. "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies, and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?" Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke. "It tells me that someone has stolen our tent."

What’s your worst crash?

I managed to write off a 2011 Honda Jazz in a local 10 mile time trial. It was a perfect day with excellent conditions for a fast race, on a course I ride a lot. As I entered the final mile I knew I was on plan for a personal best on that course from the average speed and power read outs. Approximately 500 yards from the finish line a car turned across the road and my path. I managed to just snatch at the front brake, but too little, too late and I hit the rear passenger window and roof with my left arm, creasing the roof and rear pillar, exiting the car via the rear window and ending up in the middle of the road. The road was quickly closed off and I was stabilised at the side of the road and taken to hospital.

As result of some bad judgement by the driver (proven in court), I had 19 x-rays, left hip, arm and leg injuries and head injuries resulting in hearing loss. The driver had a badly damaged car that was eventually written off and I had a destroyed bike. I contacted Garmin to get the data from the damaged bike computer and they managed to retrieve the data that showed the average speed of 29.8 mph and speed at impact of 28.1 mph.

A painful, expensive and humbling experience that has made me more passionate about cycling and raising the profile of sport to all I meet.

What bike do you ride?

The bat bike or stealth bike as it’s become known…. I will be riding the 2017 Specialized SWorks Venge ViAS in Matt Black that weighs in at 7.1kg, not that I’m a weight weenie.

This aero frameset is complimented by a S-Works Aerofly bars and stem, S-Works Power saddle and Shimano DI2. I change my wheel options dependent on the race and weather conditions which wheels??)

I ride the same size and set up as Mark Cavendish when he rode for Etixx Quickstep although he is faster in a sprint than I am.

The bike is subtle in the Matt Back finish, but when you catch it at the right angle or hear it on the road passing you, it is anything but subtle. I have added a bespoke chain catcher, my trademark KMC Gold chain, some trick camouflage bar tape and my power meter.

The bike is ultra stiff, aerodynamic and looks amazing. All of that is easy to forget when you ride it, the noise it makes and then the speed it holds is what is great about this bike. If you have the legs this bike is a fast bike, that happens to handle very well, look good and is comfortable for 4 - 5 hours in the saddle.

I personally love the way the bike looks fast standing still, but is genuinely fast on the road. Get it above 25mph in any conditions and it comes to life!